The Marine's Virgin Lover (10 page)

Trent saw the young woman enter carrying a baby and started towards her, only to stop at a look from Seth. Somehow, Seth had located his daughter and returned her to him. He wasn’t sure who the young woman was, but right now he didn’t care. Joining his wife at her bedside, he reached out a finger and ran it down his daughter’s cheek. She looked perfectly fine and no worse the wear for her ordeal.

Looking up, he saw tears running down the unknown woman’s cheeks and watched as Seth pulled her away and into his arms.

Shawn was holding his own wife who was drenching his shirtfront with happy tears and just rolled his eyes at the grin Chance bestowed upon them all. He was so happy it was sickening.

After several minutes, Shawn nodded his head towards the door to the men in the room. Carefully extricating themselves from the women intent on washing their clothing with their tears, they adjourned to the hallway.

“Somebody want to explain to me what just happened in there?”

All eyes turned towards Seth who grinned before replying, “I do believe we just reunited a lost little girl with her parents.”

“I assume she was at Marco’s residence?” Trent inquired.

Seth nodded, “Yeah. Marco hired Chelsea from a nurse for hire agency that Maria tracked down earlier. She caught me lurking around outside the house and came to investigate. Evidently, she was already having doubts about the baby and no one in the house would answer her questions.”

“Was she not aware that a baby had gone missing?”

Seth shook his head, “Not until I had her turn on the local news. It was simple enough after that. She packed up some stuff for the baby and walked back to my SUV with me. When I couldn’t reach anyone by phone, I called for the chopper and had them pick us up just at Mother Cabrisi’s. We flew straight here.”

Trent shook Seth’s hand and then pulled him into a one armed hug, “I can’t thank you enough.”

Seth returned his hug and congratulations from both Shawn and Chance. “So how do you want to play this going forward? Chelsea’s really worried about having to answer to the police.”

“No police. Brianna’s been through enough.” Trent wasn’t having his new family put through the media machine.

“I agree. But how do we explain the baby’s return and you know the hospital has to have something to tell both the media and the authorities.”

Shawn was quiet for a minute before he glanced Stephanie Belkins coming down the hallway towards them, “I have an idea.”

When all three men looked at him, he addressed Seth, “Get Chelsea out of here and keep her quiet until tomorrow. It looked like you two got pretty cozy this afternoon so that shouldn’t be too much trouble.”

Addressing Chance next, “You need to go back to the sister’s house and do the same. I don’t want the media to learn of either one of their involvement in this case. I’ll handle things on this end and let you know when everything’s settled.”

Seth and Chance both nodded, not questioning Shawn expertise. He was a master at spinning believable tales and hadn’t failed yet.

Turning to Trent, he advised, “Go spend some time with your little one. I’ll go speak with the nurse and let you know when everything’s in place. Feel like making a sizable donation to the new wing?”

Trent grinned, his wealth came in very handy at times like these and he figured a large donation was going to ensure several key peoples silence on how his daughter miraculously was found, “You know it. Whatever you need, it’s yours.”

“Okay. Everybody head out and watch the 10 o’clock news. That gives me about two hours which should be plenty of time to put everything in place.”

Seth had re-entered the hospital room to find Chelsea talking with Janet and Brianna like long lost friends. After ushering her out of the hospital, Chance had dropped them off at his condo and headed over to her sister’s place. Chance had informed him that he wasn’t going to worry about watching the news, and that Seth should just call him tomorrow when things were all settled.

Seth had provided Chelsea a clean t-shirt and some sweatpants to wear and insisted she take a shower to freshen up while he threw together some dinner for them both. She had readily agreed, seeking some alone time to come to grips with the attraction she was feeling.

After showering, Chelsea donned the t-shirt Seth had left for her and then the sweatpants, laughing at the picture she made in the mirror. The pants were almost a foot too long and so big around the waist there was no way she would be able to keep them up. Seeing that the t-shirt fell almost to her knees and covered just as much as a shorter dress, the opted to leave the sweatpants lying on the bed when she went in search of Seth.

She found him tossing the salad and dishing up pasta into two bowels in the kitchen. The smells were wonderful and Chelsea realized she was really hungry. Sitting down, she watched him finish preparing their plates and then join her.

When he bent over, placing a kiss upon her lips before taking his own seat, she wondered how she was supposed to eat when the breath seemed to be caught in her throat. She had never felt this way and was having trouble handling her hormones; on top of everything else that had happened today.

When Chelsea had first entered the kitchen, dressed only in his t-shirt, his first instinct had been to usher her back in to the bedroom and show her why she should have worn the sweatpants. His body had instantly hardened, and he had turned away, adjusting himself and hoping that she wouldn’t pick up on how badly she was affecting him.

Seth had already ascertained that Chelsea was inexperienced, how much so he planned to find out later. But right now, he needed to feed her and take that nervous look from her eyes.

Taking a stuttering breath, she smiled at him and took a bite, moaning in pleasure as the taste exploded in her mouth. It was delicious!

“Where did you learn to cook like this?”

Seth smiled, “We had a full house of servants while Chance and I were growing up. Our mother thought it was very important that we be skilled in taking care of ourselves should the need ever arise. Therefore, we both studied the culinary arts with some of the best chefs in the country. Mother would hire them for six-month stints and we would take turns learning to cook their specialties. As you can see, my favorites were always the Italian dishes. Now Chance – he loves to bake.”

Chelsea was floored, “You’re serious?”

Seth nodded, taking a bite of his own pasta before answering, ”Yep. Eat up. There’s ice cream for dessert.”

Chelsea and Seth ate in silence, each one going over the events of the day. Seth was already planning his verbal arguments for why Chelsea should agree to go out with him again. Chelsea was trying to figure out how to get Seth to kiss her without appearing too eager or like a slut.

After dinner, Seth led Chelsea to his living room and sat down on the couch, pulling her feet into his lap and beginning a light massage of her arches. She had done well on their hike, but her legs and feet were probably beginning to talk to her. When she moaned and leaned her head back in surrender, he smiled and pressed a little harder.

“Feel good?”

“Too good.” Chelsea tried to find some self-control, but the feel of his hands on her feet and ankles had her all warm and gooey inside. Her pulse was speeding up and her breathing was no longer relaxed either. Watching him from beneath her lashes, she saw the fire of arousal light his eyes and wondered if it was echoed in her own.

Seth watched her for a moment, noticing that her pulse had sped up and then saw the flush that had risen in her cheeks. Letting his hands climb higher on her calves, he squeezed as he made a leisurely study of her knees and leg muscles. When he heard her breath catch, he pulled her to a sitting position, half on his lap, and half off.

Reaching up, he anchored her head by placing a hand behind her neck, holding her still for his kiss. He started slowly, sipping from her lips and nipping at her bottom lip, encouraging her to open to him.

Chelsea closed her eyes and submersed herself in Seth’s kisses. She felt drugged and relaxed, letting him lead her where he wanted to. She had been kissed before, but never like this. It was like she was becoming part of Seth, her heart beating in time with his, her breath coinciding with his. She had never felt so in tune with another human being, not even her sister.

Giving into the wonderful sensations, Chelsea moaned and let her hands roam across the muscles hidden beneath his shirt. He was solid, but not in a frightening way. He exuded strength and made her feel secure. Not for the first time today, she recognized that she trusted him and felt safe with him. She had only known him for less than twelve hours, but her body and soul recognized him as her other half.

Seth felt Chelsea’s resistance fade and pulled her closer. Taking from her lips and taking the kiss deeper as she gave him access. She was so sweet and he could happily go on kissing her for the rest of the evening.

Seth let his hands wander across her back and down her sides, just skimming the swell of her breasts on either side. When he heard her quick intake of breath, he brought one hand around to her front, skimming the backs of his knuckles across the turgid peaks still covered by his t-shirt.

Chelsea felt the light brush of his hand across her breasts, and stiffened only a second before giving into the wonderful sensations his touch was creating within her. When he made no move to deepen the caress, she pressed herself closer to him inadvertently pushing her right breast into his hand. When he responded by enveloping her in his hand and giving a gentle squeeze, she couldn’t hold back her sigh.

Seth molded her breast in his palm, and used his other hand to slowly slide her shirt up. When he had the shirt up around her belly button, he used both hands to pull it off over her head. Seeing her start to cover herself, he calmed her by saying, “Don’t. Don’t cover yourself. You’re absolutely stunning.” Seth looked at her full breasts with their rose-hued nipples that were standing up demanding his attention.

Using his thumb and forefinger, he gently took the tip of one breast between his fingers and rolled it, squeezing slightly before letting it go and treating its twin to the same treatment. Seth kept his eyes on Chelsea’s face, watching for any sign that she wasn’t willing to take their physical relationship further.

Chelsea tried to meet Seth’s gaze, but when she felt the pressure on her nipple increase, she let her eyes close on a moan as the sensation shot straight to her core. Letting her head fall slightly back, she let Seth play her body and simply enjoyed the feelings he created.

Seth watched her arousal build, her breathing quickening as he paid homage to her breasts. Dipping his head, he took her nipple into his mouth, laving it with his tongue and sucking it deeper into his mouth. He kept his hand busy at her other breast and after several minutes switched sides.

Chelsea let him play, but after he had treated both of her breasts to the delicious sensations, she pushed against him, wanting to feel the muscles of his chest without his shirt impeding her touch. Pulling at the waist of his shirt, he took the hint and leaned back. Reaching behind his head, he pulled his shirt over his head, and then removed it from his arms.

Chelsea stared in wonder as his tanned skin was revealed. A thin line of hair started just below his muscled pecs and disappeared beneath the waistband of his jeans. She let her hands follow the line down, stopping when she reached his pants. When Seth sucked in his breath, giving her ample room to reach beneath the waistband, she let her fingers dip beneath it momentarily before then moving them back to his shoulders.

When she squirmed, trying to get closer to him, he pulled her across his lap, anchoring a thigh on each side of his own so that she straddled his lap.

Chelsea let Seth arrange her body and relished the feeling of being so close to him. Pressing her chest against his, she felt the hard tips of her breasts press into the muscles of his chest and moaned in delight. Who knew her breasts could be so sensitive?

Seth used one hand to anchor her center against his own, knowing that she could feel the evidence of his desire for her and feeling her welcoming warmth cradle him. When she moved against him, he almost lost it. He needed to slow things down. They needed to discuss things first as he didn’t want her to have any regrets.

Pulling away, he anchored her hips in his hands, preventing her from moving against him as he struggled to gain control of his body. When she started to protest he shushed her, “Hold still and give a minute.”

“What’s wrong?” Chelsea asked, dazed and confused as to why he had stopped kissing her. Maybe she had done something wrong?

Seeing the confusion on her face, Seth kissed her on the nose and replied, “Nothing’s wrong. I just want to make sure you aren’t going to regret this in the morning.”

Chelsea held herself still as his words registered. Would she regret it in the morning? Maybe. Was she willing to forgo the rest of what Seth was offering her? No way. Chelsea had come close to sleeping with a former boyfriend, but the timing had never seemed right, and she was now glad that she hadn’t. He had never made her feel the way Seth did with only a kiss.

Pushing herself against Seth’s chest, she looked up at him from under her lashes and licked her bottom lip before saying, “Are you saying you want to stop?”

Seth shook his head, “No. But I will if you’re not comfortable with us going any further.”

Chelsea ducked her head, how did she tell him that she didn’t want him to stop and not sound like a hussy? Deciding that action was her best option, she let her hands slide down his chest, pausing only slightly when they reached his waistband, before she pushed the button loose and started lowering the zipper. She wasn’t able to finish the task, being held so tightly against him, but she pushed her hips back and eventually he let go of her so she could move back.

Chelsea pulled his pants apart and gasped as she realized he wasn’t wearing anything beneath them. His cock slipped free, and she took her time looking at him. When she touched a finger to the smooth head, Seth released a groan and quickly pulled her hand away.